New Walla Walla advisory firm to focus on assisting hospitality, restaurant industry

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin | Feb 21, 2025

Birch Creek Advisors, a new Walla Walla-based advisory firm, will focus on assisting hotel, resort and restaurant owners with financial exchanges, according to the company's news release.

Chris Garratt, the advising firm’s CEO and president, stepped down from his role as managing director of mergers and acquisitions at Metis, a wine industry-focused advisory firm.

Before working at Metis, Garratt gained experience in hospitality as a national sales manager at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and as regional director for RL Hotel's Pacific Northwest locations. Garratt also is a member of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Washington Hospitality Association.

Erik McLaughlin, the CEO of Metis, said in a written statement that he is excited to see Garratt continue his work through Birch Creek Advisors, which announced its opening Wednesday, Feb. 12.

“I’ve had the good pleasure of working with Chris Garratt for over five years, where I’ve seen his expertise, skill, and tenacity grow and sharpen,” McLaughlin said.

Birch Creek Advisors plans to specialize in advising destination resorts, boutique and historic hotels, high-performing restaurants, and hospitality management firms looking for recapitalization, investment and acquisition opportunities.

“We speak hospitality and know the nuances of this industry, leveraging operational expertise to unlock tailored solutions that drive growth and create value for our clients,” Garratt wrote in a statement.